Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN)

What is SORN? Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) means that, by law, when a keeper of a vehicle does not tax a vehicle because it is not being used or kept on a public road, DVLA must be told. A SORN is valid for 12 months unless you tax, sell, permanently export or scrap the vehicle before the 12 months have expired. The legislation that covers SORN is the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002.
For more information about SORN please go to the How to make a SORN Opens a new window page on Directgov.
How long does a SORN declaration last? A SORN declaration is valid for 12 months unless the vehicle is taxed, sold, scrapped or permanently exported.
How will I know when the SORN is due to expire? As long as the registered keeper details are correct on DVLA records, you will receive a reminder that will give you the option to renew the SORN or to apply for a tax disc.
Do I have to make a SORN? Yes. All vehicles that have been taxed on or after the 31st January 1998 need a SORN declaration if the vehicle is not taxed. For more information about SORN please go to the How to make a SORN Opens a new window page on Directgov.
Is there a charge to make a SORN? There is no charge for making a SORN.
When was SORN introduced? SORN was introduced for vehicles that were taxed on or after 31st January 1998.
What happens if you have not taxed your vehicle or made a SORN? It is an offence to be the registered keeper of a vehicle that is not taxed and where SORN has not been made. Where an offence has been committed, the registered keeper will have to pay a penalty and any outstanding arrears of vehicle tax. For more information about SORN please go to the How to make a SORN Opens a new window page on Directgov.
How can I make a SORN? You can make SORN on our online or phone service. If you are unable to use this service you can make SORN at a Post Office® that issues tax discs or DVLA Local Office (if you have a Heavy Good Vehicle) using the renewal reminder.
I want to make a SORN but my vehicle details are incorrect. You can make SORN on our online or phone service but you will need to return the Registration Certificate to DVLA, Swansea, (the address is on the Registration Certificate Section 8). Please fill in section 6 with the correct details and sign the declaration. On receipt, the vehicle record will be amended and a new Registration Certificate will be sent to you.
Do I have to have an Insurance Certificate and a MOT/GVT Test Certificate to declare SORN? No.
I have a tax disc. Can I declare SORN and apply for a refund? Yes. You can make a SORN using our online or phone service then you can apply for a refund of vehicle tax for any full calendar months left on the tax disc using an Application for a refund of vehicle tax with a tax disc (V14). This form is available at any Post Office® that issues tax discs or can be downloaded from the Directgov page Apply for a vehicle licence refund (form V14) Opens a new window
Or you can make SORN when you apply for the refund on the Application for a refund of vehicle tax with a tax disc (V14). Please return the tax disc and the form to DVLA, Swansea. The address is on the form.
I have lost the tax disc. Can I declare SORN and apply for a refund? Yes. You can make a SORN using our online or phone service then you can apply for a refund of vehicle tax for any full calendar months left on the tax disc using an Application for a refund of vehicle tax when tax disc is missing (V33). This form is available at a DVLA Local Office or you can phone Vehicle Enquiries on 0300 790 6802 for a V33 to be posted to you.
How does SORN prevent tax evasion? SORN was introduced to improve and maintain the accuracy of the vehicle records held by DVLA. By ensuring all registered keepers make contact with DVLA at least once a year, DVLA can better establish the status of a vehicle.
Can I backdate a SORN? No. You cannot backdate a SORN.
Can I declare SORN for 6 months instead of 12 months? No. You can only make SORN for 12 months.
I have made SORN but I now intend to use the vehicle, what can I do? You should tax the vehicle before you use or keep the vehicle on the public road. You can use our online or phone service if you have the Registration Certificate or the renewal reminder. You will also need valid insurance and either MOT Certificate/GVT Certificate.
My vehicle has failed the MOT Test and will only be off the road for a short time. Do I have to declare SORN? Yes. If your vehicle does not have a valid tax disc, you must declare SORN.
If I make SORN does my vehicle have to be kept off the public roads? Yes. There is one exception - when the vehicle is going to a pre-arranged MOT test and the vehicle has valid insurance for the journey.
What do you mean by public roads? A public road is a road maintained at the public expense, including grass verges and ground adjourning the road. Contact your local authority if you have doubt about an area where you want to park you vehicle.
I am abroad with my vehicle and the tax disc has expired. Can I declare SORN? If you are using the vehicle abroad, but it is still registered in the UK, the vehicle must be taxed.
The last tax disc on my vehicle expired before 31st January 1998. Do I have to declare SORN? No. SORN was introduced for vehicles that had tax discs that expired on or after 31st January 1998.
I am selling my vehicle. Do I have to declare SORN? No, you only need to make SORN if the tax runs out before you sell the vehicle and you keep the vehicle off the public road.
I am taking my vehicle out of the country permanently. Do I have to declare SORN? No. You do not have to make a SORN as long as the vehicle is taxed until the vehicle leaves the UK. You must, however, tell DVLA when the vehicle has been exported. For information on exporting a vehicle go to the Directgov page Importing and Exporting a Vehicle Opens a new window.
I am buying a vehicle and the previous keeper has already declared SORN. Do I have to do anything? A SORN is not transferable from one keeper to another so you must make a SORN or tax the vehicle if you going to use or keep the vehicle on the public road.
What are the DVLA Local Office opening hours? The DVLA Local Office opening times are: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and the 2nd Wednesday in every month from 9.30am until 5.00pm. Closed at weekends and on Public Holidays.
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